Fastest Animals

Fastest Animal on Land: Cheetah

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) are the fastest animal in the World on land. Cheetahs are one of most powerful predators in it's environment.This predator is by far one of the most efficient killing machines on the World. Over short distances, it can sprint up to 120 km/h, accelerate from 0 to 110 km/h in three seconds. Cheetahs live in open grasslands or the Savannah in Africa. Usually hunts during daylight, preferring early morning or early evening. In the wild cheetahs can live from 10 to 15 years. There are now estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000 cheetahs left in the wild.

Fastest Animal in Air: Peregrine Falcon

The fastest bird in the world is the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Able to dive at almost 300km per hour, is not only the fastest flying bird in the world, but the fastest animal in the World. The Peregrine Falcon has a body length of 34 to 58cm, wingspan 80 to 120cm, lifespan: 7-15 years. It can survive in a wide variety of habitats including urban cities, the tropics, deserts and the tundra.

Fastest Animal in the Ocean: Sailfish

The fastest sea animal is Atlantic Sailfish (Istiophorus albicans). Sailfish can swim with a speed of 68 mph (110 km/h). Atlantic sailfish are found in Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Maximum weight is around 220 pounds (100 kg), length is up to 124 inches (340 cm). Experts say sailfish can live up to 10 years but they usually average 4 or 5. This animal gets its name from its spectacular dorsal fin, which is colored a bright cobalt blue with black spots.

Measuring animal top speeds is very difficult. How various animals compare in terms of their maximum speed? Factors affecting an animal top speed include mathematical calculations based on animal size and trackway measurements. For example, the largest African elephant recorded weighed over 11 tons (26,000 lb). Compared to other animals elephants are really slow. The largest living land animals on Earth can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour. Fastest cockroach registered a record speed of 3.5 miles per hour, which would be comparable to a human speed of 220 mph.